New member - Z3 1.9 1998

Mus Musculus

Zorg Guru (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Nov 27, 2022
Points
114
Location
Ramsey, Huntingdonshire
Model of Z
1.9 M44
Hi all,

Just joined the forum, completely newbie to BMW Z3 ownership, but I like the looks of the car… ;)

I own a 1973 Triumph Spitfire MKIV, so the Z3 is my idea of a more practical classic. I am learning, the hard way, that perhaps I should have researched a little bit further, but it's still exciting. Not one of the fastest cars, but I am happy to get started with this one then move to a better, more powerful engine (if I can find/afford one).

I have already got a lot of information out of this forum, so you can expect to see me around on a regular basis. Off course, I have already spent more money than I should fixing little niggles…

Note: I am based in North Cambridgeshire, between Huntingdon and Peterborough. Anything happening around these parts?
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
Hi and welcome from me near Lincoln. Things are a bit quieter this time of the year but the "Z" calendar usually has something happening somewhere. Keep a check on the forums Forthcoming Events tab under the main Forums Tab.

Tony.
 

PCD

Regular Member
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Sep 13, 2022
Points
14
Location
Hartford,Huntingdon
Model of Z
1.9
Hi and welcome from me in Hartford. I am new to the forum with a 1989 1.9 also having owned a TR6 a while back. Enjoy the z3 experience though. Perhaps we will meet when the sun starts to shine again. Be good to have somebody nearby to share improvements with.
 

t-tony

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Dec 31, 2013
Points
226
Location
Torksey Lock,Lincoln, England
Model of Z
E89 Z4 23i Auto
Hi and welcome from me in Hartford. I am new to the forum with a 1989 1.9 also having owned a TR6 a while back. Enjoy the z3 experience though. Perhaps we will meet when the sun starts to shine again. Be good to have somebody nearby to share improvements with.
My, @PCD you must have the rarest Z3 on the forum in a 1989 model. ;)=))

Just pulling your leg.

Tony.
 

colb

Zorg Guru (V)
British Zeds
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Points
178
Location
Newport, South Wales,UK
Model of Z
Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.5 (2003)
Welcome to the forum, best place for info on all things Z.
Taking a leap into modern electronics with the Z over the older TR you will want to arm yourself with a code reader you can go down the handheld type or venture into the Laptop diagnostics using BMW software available on ebay such as INPA and BMW Scanner 1.4. All you need is an old laptop running Windows 7 or XP. Being a 1998 car however that was around the time BMW changed from OBD1 to OBD2, not all scanners will read OBD1 so be careful what you buy. For any diagnostics you will also need a 20pin to 16pin Cable changer to plug in to the round diagnostic socket in the engine bay as this will read all modules fitted to the car. If you have a 16pin OBD2 socket under the steering wheel as well as the under bonnet 20pin socket that will only read the engine and transmission modules on the car.
Cable changer is available on ebay for little money.
 

Mus Musculus

Zorg Guru (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Nov 27, 2022
Points
114
Location
Ramsey, Huntingdonshire
Model of Z
1.9 M44
Welcome to the forum, best place for info on all things Z.
Taking a leap into modern electronics with the Z over the older TR you will want to arm yourself with a code reader you can go down the handheld type or venture into the Laptop diagnostics using BMW software available on ebay such as INPA and BMW Scanner 1.4. All you need is an old laptop running Windows 7 or XP. Being a 1998 car however that was around the time BMW changed from OBD1 to OBD2, not all scanners will read OBD1 so be careful what you buy. For any diagnostics you will also need a 20pin to 16pin Cable changer to plug in to the round diagnostic socket in the engine bay as this will read all modules fitted to the car. If you have a 16pin OBD2 socket under the steering wheel as well as the under bonnet 20pin socket that will only read the engine and transmission modules on the car.
Cable changer is available on ebay for little money.
Thank you very much for the welcome and tips.
I actually own an Spitfire (PCD owned the TR), but still, it's a 30+ years jump in technology. I will certainly get myself a scanner of some sort — likely a handheld as I don't have a single Windows laptop or PC.
Cheers!
 

Mus Musculus

Zorg Guru (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
The M44 Massive
Joined
Nov 27, 2022
Points
114
Location
Ramsey, Huntingdonshire
Model of Z
1.9 M44
Hi & welcome from south Cambs - Linton.
Hi @Witchsilver Nice looking Z3 you have there. Hopefully I will get some time to meet all you guys/girls soon.

Mine is a 1998 too, which according to the VIN was built the sam time as my daughter was born. That's something I can relate to. ;)
1998-bmw-z3-635cf349a2fff.jpg
 

Nodzed

Zorg Expert (II)
Supporter
British Zeds
M Power
Joined
Feb 18, 2016
Points
231
Location
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England
Model of Z
Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
:welcome:
 
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